Cheeseburgh

I have to catch up, I see @GreenTealael is painting!

7 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

can totally imagine you wearing this dress...its totally your style, yes?

Pretty much a variation of everything else I own!

I ordered a new dress today. (I LOVE Boden US) I think they read my algorithm and designed this dress for me. Unfortunately, that is not a picture of me. 😂

@BigSue It sounds weird, but mango chutney from Trader Joe’s is really good on the chicken burgers. If you’re doing low carb, I’m sure it’s too high though. Salsa might work too. I always had them with a toasted slice of their multigrain bread and chutney.

I miss them, they don’t deliver here.

I haven’t put on an “outfit “ in so long! I do force myself to wear real clothes vs. loungewear everyday. I’m the type of person that tends to relax, or let up if I get too comfortable. It’s harder for me to detect a small gain with big stretchy pants.

I realized that even if I wanted to post a picture it would pretty much be a repeat of last year, which is something I’m really excited about. It’s so nice to not have a myriad of sizes stuffed in my closet that I hope fit or I hope will fit down the road.

I’m so ready for winter to be over. Everyone looks fantastic!

On 1/23/2021 at 12:47 PM, WishMeSmaller said:

Heading out to run some errands with hubs on a snow day. ❄️⛄️

I love your boots!

On 1/13/2021 at 12:05 PM, GreenTealael said:

I have zero reasons to wear anything notable these days. My coat is always on.
I am sorting through things to donate and came a dress I forgot I owned. I think I will keep it although I suspect it will be a long time before I can wear it.

You look absolutely stunning!

The last 10 are really hard, I was already a slow loser and I had to push to lose the final 10. I went to the gym and forced myself to take classes 4 days a week, I rode my bike and went on walks at least 5 days a week. I also ate really clean and drank a lot of Water.

That was on top of my regular gym schedule of 4-5 days a week. I promised myself that I wouldn’t give up, it was hard but It was worth it.

I really miss going to the gym. I never thought I’d say that!

18 hours ago, ms.sss said:

...and the making of bread products continues...

These babies came out of the oven about 1/2 an hour ago and the house still smells yum!

Soft Pretzels!

Had I portioned them out properly so they were the same size (I didn't), they should log in as 147 calories each.

I had one bite (about 1 tbsp worth) to test it out. Turned out pretty good, an Mr. is a fan (he's the one who asked me to make them in the first place). I am not a big soft pretzel fan myself, so the test bite was enough for me....I'm guessing 15 calories for a bite?

Those look amazing. I swear cold weather releases a carb craving hormone.

On 1/8/2021 at 9:24 AM, BigSue said:

I am terrible about shopping every purchase TO DEATH (I had been shopping for a new TV for over two years before I finally gave in and bought one on Black Friday). When I bought my air fryer, I was actually shopping for a deep fryer (this was way before I started my weight loss journey, when I was in an "eat what tastes good" phase), but I kept seeing air fryers in my search results. I decided that I would give the air fryer a chance and buy a deep fryer later, and I just picked one! I bought the Amazon's Choice air fryer and I could not be happier. I never did go back and buy a deep fryer.

I’m going through this with a blender right now! I like the idea of the 900 watt Nutribullet, has anyone used one? I had a Ninja that just died and I don’t need a full size blender. I pretty much only use it to make fake ice cream from frozen bananas, I’d appreciate any recommendations.

I’ve upped my homemade corn tortilla game. 60 calories for each tortilla. (I weigh them) 3 ingredients, Masa, Water and salt. No oil, no fat. You do need a cast Iron tortilla press though, cheap ones don’t cut it.

It’s a great way to bump up boring dinners and add a bunch of veggies. We are huge fans of Rick Bayless sauces and marinades, Frontera Grill. Really low in calories and not bland at all.

So far so good, my weight has maintained stable 2.5 years out. I’m super conscious about my weight and have to be diligent. I think Americans should get bonus points this year. I’m exhausted!

Anyway, I highly recommend making your own tortillas!

15 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

I do plan to get an air fryer,

I'm just waiting (stubborn)

I was considering getting one until I read that’s is basically a convection oven and I already have that feature on mine.

On 12/28/2020 at 8:13 AM, GreenTealael said:

@summerset @Cheeseburgh @MarvelGirl25

How are you settling in?

All settled in, I really like this house. I’ve moved a lot and all over the Midwest (+Pittsburgh). I counted and that was the 10th house I’ve sold in my 60 years on this planet. I don’t get too attached!

Thank for asking!

I’m celebrating the fact that I’m not wearing a t shirt or sweatshirt today, I’m also not going anywhere!

4 minutes ago, Sophie7713 said:

I want a bite! Any big scores on the Pokeman cards!? Who knew!

Let’s just say I’m shocked. We have some crazy valuable cards.

I haven’t been as meticulous as usual, and I’ve been less active, Sorting through Pokémon cards doesn’t burn calories! I swear I gain weight SO easy! It’s only 2.5 pounds but it was quick. I decided to get back to the basics today and made a very tasty Asian salad.

On 11/30/2020 at 10:15 AM, ms.sss said:

SMOKING:

I started smoking again on vacation last sept after being smoke free for 11 YEARS. I said it would just be on vacation, which led to just finish this pack I brought home with me, to just while its warm outside, to basically smoking as if I never stopped all these years. Slippery slope indeed. I made 2-3 attempts to quit during the past year+ but if I'm honest, I haven't tried so very hard. Am still smoking.

DRINKING:

On paper, apparently I am an "excessive drinker" now. I was a "social drinker" pre-wls, maybe 3-4 drinks a MONTH, max. This slowing started increasing since last summer, to where I was drinking maybe 2-3 drinks a WEEK by Christmas. Always when I was out, or at a party.

Now (especially since pandemic started) I drink pretty much everyday, and at home. According to literature, "excessive drinking" in women is when 7 or more drinks are consumed in a week. Yep, that's me. On paper, based on what I've been reading, I just barely fit the criteria of being a High Functioning Alcoholic. Barely, but I do fit. Am still drinking.

OBSESSION PREOCCUPATION with food:

This one I don't consider to be too damaging, but it is a little eyebrow-raising. I think about food probably 1/2 of my waking hours. The things I find I spend ALOT of time on and/or get actual pleasure from: spending time looking at food pics, organizing the pics and Urls based on interest, planning and shopping for meals, cooking/baking, plating food, taking pics of the finished product, watching people eat it, smelling it, reading an ENTIRE menu to the last detail often multiple times, ordering off said menu, having Food Network on TV as my background noise. Actually EATING the food is very low on the enjoyment priority scale. Sure I'll eat/taste something if I deem it "worthy", but more often than not, I'd rather do any number of the former things instead. Am still preoccupied with food.

See me after class. 😂

Yup, you’ll get there, increasing activity helps a lot but it won’t be falling off as quickly as some.

3 hours ago, Pookie2012 said:

One thing that I worry about a lot is how I will look when I have lost the weight. The loose skin. My husband said that he is worried that I will get thin and leave him. I said most likely I will look like an old elephant with all of the hanging skin. My boobs will probably look like balloons that have been blown up and the air let out too many times.

You will be adding years to your life. I only have one boob! 😂 In all seriousness, I don’t have the skin issue so I don’t know how uncomfortable it is, but I do believe everyone. At my age I looked at it as a health issue along with the fact I was losing my mind and stamina. I can keep up with everyone again and life is just more fun, and next year will even be better. Be kind to yourself, you deserve this.

4 hours ago, Sam B said:

Can I switch from VSG to RNY? I just changed my mind.

Ask your Doctor, she or he will let you know what they think. Do research before you ask so you know what to ask for follow up questions.

My weight shot up so quickly (Chemo, quitting drinking & excessive popcorn really accelerated my weight) I didn’t recognize myself, and I had never been so uncomfortable. I had gained some weight over 8 years or so, I felt “fat” at 160 then, boom, one year later I was at 22-something. I qualified for surgery by 1-2 pounds. It was shocking to look in the mirror. I made an appointment and had surgery 5 months later. I just feel like myself again, and it turns out I really missed me!

I had transfer addiction kinda backwards, which also led to my weight gain. Before surgery I drank a lot of wine daily when I was stressed, (aka Everyday) which helped add pounds. I quit drinking 5 years ago and I don’t miss it. I really thought I would, it was a big part of my social life and stress reliever for me. Turns out I didn’t need it. **However, I replaced my nightly wine with popcorn...that didn’t work out and compounded my weight gain as you can imagine. Alcohol and popcorn are two things I will live without. I quit smoking 22 years ago, and I’m not touching that again either.

I began painting (not art) after surgery to keep busy and now I’m looking for a new hobby. I’m planning on trying out woodworking when the weather is better. I’m the type of person who needs to be busy.

I’m lucky, I have a super supportive husband, I feel terrible for those of you with a partner who isn’t your biggest cheerleader. You deserve that.

I shop less than I used to. I was always buying clothes to make me look less fat or replace things that got too tight. Now with the plague, I have nowhere to go and my closet is so organized! That’s why I don’t post on OTTD anymore, I’m wearing the same things! 😂

I do freak out a little bit if I see the scale hit 125, I don’t vary my diet a lot, but I’m comfortable with my diet. It’s a mix of good for me and eh, not so good for me. I really have a hard time splurging on food. I’ll have just a bit of something that’s really caloric.

I do log everything, I simply have to. I’ve had real pizza a few times and a small thin crust pizza lasts 4 meals. I can live with that.

I joke that I’ve quit smoking, drinking and eating, so now what?

20 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

@MarvelGirl25 @Cheeseburgh

How did the move go?

Thanks, it was a Smooth Move. I forgot how much I HATE moving. I’m still not sure where to put stuff. The house is nice, updated, modern and a good size for a downsize. I don’t think we could have found a better house to rent. It is so weird renting though!

I miss painting, but we found a new hobby. My oldest son called and told us to get our Pokémon cards out of storage. (My husband was a SERIOUS collector) turns out we have thousands of cards and a ton of really rare and expensive ones. I had no idea! So we are learning the ropes on EBay and having fun sifting through our treasure!

1 hour ago, TrueNorth1 said:

You are consistently losing so that is success!

My loss is slow also compared to others I see on here. I am at 2 weeks post surgery (surgery weight 188.8), consuming 500 - 650 calories a day, walking 30 minutes twice daily and down 7 pounds at 181.4. So maybe my weight loss will only be 12 - 14 pounds a month. But it is still weight loss. We will get there! The important part is 1) we did it and 2) we are following what the program.

Heads up, it will be up and down. 12-14 a month is actually pretty high! depending on your starting weight etc, you can’t realistically expect that every month. Granted some people do shed weight at a fast clip but that seems like the exception vs the rule. (I’m looking at you @ms.sss ) lol

I was a “slow loser”. I just looked up my history. I was 204 on my surgery date 8/13/18 and 188.6 10/01/18. I was down 16 pounds after 48 days. Looking back at my tracking, I stopped weighing myself for 2 weeks! I don’t remember doing this, but I’m sure I took a break because it was driving me nuts. Just like you I was eating 500-600 calories a day, it just came off slower than I had hoped or expected. I had a few months when I only lost a few pounds! A good month for me was 6-8 lbs. I’m a stubborn person, it just made me dig my heels in harder and I got to my goal weight by a year and surpassed it a few months later.

I never cheated, I wanted this too much to fail. I did get frustrated but I got there.

This is my long winded way of letting you know to keep your expectations realistic. Even on 500-800 calories a day and doing everything “right” you can lose slowly. Our metabolisms defy logic sometimes! You will lose the weight, just might not be in a timeframe you’re hoping for.

You got this, good luck.

I think the show 600 lb life messes with our expectations.

On 11/16/2020 at 2:51 AM, Sophie7713 said:

That looks delicious CB. Did you make it in the instant pot, stove or crock pot? What cut of beef? I love mashed potatoes and gravy. Hot roast beef sandwiches were all the rage in central Pennsylvania!

I used a lean stew meat that the store had already cubed up. I just cook old school and use a Dutch oven. I bought an instant pot and gave it away, I think I’ve purchased 3 crockpots during my life and eventually gave those away too!

The older I get the more minimalist I become.

It’s cold, sleety and windy today. Beef stew was the perfect dinner and the house smells great! Was only 325 calories to boot.